What do you people mean with your "interview sounds like a nightmare"? Didn't you read the actual post? :D Having to pay a visit to have a nice day showing off your skills is a most compulsory step of the natural process of getting a decent job. If you can't take that with ease, you better grow your intellect (emotional part).

Not sure about the university argument. I heard at least in Zurich there were people from tens of countries not containing Berkley or Stanford or MIT.